We know that parents like yourself may worry about how your Primary 2 child will manage a formal exam. It is, after all, his or her first time facing a formal assessment.
In this article, we will help you understand 3 key things about the Primary 2 CA1 and share with you our 5-point checklist to prepare your child to face his or her first major assessment.
1. What Does “CA1” Mean?
The term “CA1” is the academic shorthand for Continual Assessment 1, a mode of formal assessment for most primary school students starting at the Primary 2 level. Examinations such as the CA (continual assessment) or SA (semestral assessment) are examples of summative assessment, which aims to test students’ understanding of a summary of topics/components.
However, many schools no longer use this term strictly, and instead call these tests termly assessments or quizzes!
2. When Does Primary 2 CA1 Take Place?
Most schools conduct CA1 during weeks 7 or 8 of MOE Term 1 (middle to late February).
Additionally, most schools release examination dates at the start of each semester or term. Be sure to pen those dates down on the family calendar.
3. What Can My Child Expect To See At CA1?
While the format of examination differs from school to school, your child should expect to see a full paper for subjects such as English, Math and Mother Tongue.
1. Note Down Those Dates
Check your child’s school diary or website for CA1 or test dates. Note them down on a calendar and ensure your child has ample time to practise, review and revise.
Ensure that he or she has enough rest leading up to each exam and maybe even plan for a post-exam celebration!
2. Sort Out Your Child’s Files
Go through your child’s files from school and from The Learning Lab.
Review his or her past work and corrections — being able to reflect on areas of weakness and revise past work is essential in helping your child refine knowledge of examinable topics or chapters.
3. Set Up A Revision Schedule
Being time savvy offers young learners an opportunity to gain confidence in preparing for exams. Consider drawing up a study plan and a countdown chart. These visual tools can help your child maintain focus and enthusiasm during revision time.
Consolidating notes to collate knowledge is an essential revision tactic. Looking through past work to pinpoint key areas to pay special attention to makes for effective knowledge refinement.
Additionally, practice boosts confidence and breeds familiarity with content: do so by putting pencil to paper and brushing up on those grammar rules or mathematical operations in the run-up to CA1 or the end-of-term assessments!
4. Talk About Expectations and Potential Worries
Sit with your child to work out realistic targets for each subject or exam component. Involving your child in this process affords a sense of stewardship in their educational journey.
Ask your child if he or she has any fears — children are often afraid of letting their parents down. Try verbalising your belief in your child’s abilities and character and emphasising that your love is not dependent on how well he or she does in the exams.
Such affirmation can empower your child to approach the end-of-term assessments with greater confidence.
5. Help Your Child Understand The Value Of Formal Assessments
Explain to your child that formal assessments such as CA1 papers or tests allow schools to gauge his or her ability to absorb, retain and apply knowledge.
This, in turn, can help teachers in planning and executing their lessons by indicating how well a topic or subject has been taught.
Our special infographic features four simple, effective and easy-to-remember tips to cruise through the end of term assessments.
Download our exclusive infographic and share with your child the TLL CARE Method — this is a great piece to put up at home to encourage your child to be Careful, Aware, Well-Rested and Empowered!
Click here for a downloadable version of our TLL CARE Infographic!
From specially crafted teaching materials to the design of each classroom, we pay great attention to ensuring the learning environment is not only the right one for your child but also one that inspires and sparks a genuine curiosity towards learning.
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Let’s keep in touch. If you have any questions about our programmes, please email us at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg or call us at 6733 8711 and we will be happy to assist you.
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